Improved apparatus for removing- benzine prom hydrocarbons



HJ. BERG, or BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA.

Letters Patent No. 93,952, dated August-24, 1869.

. IMPROVEJ APPARATUS FOR REMOVING- BENZINE FROM HYDROCARBONS..

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making partof the same.

To all whom it 'may concern Be it known that I, H. J. BERG, of Butler, in the county of Butler, and State of Pennsylvania, have iuvented a new and useful Improvement in Preparing Petroleum; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilledin the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification. Y

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in preparing .petroleum for market and consists in separating from it the lighter and more volatile suhstances, as benzine and naphtha, which are combined with or held in suspension by the crude petroleum, as it is taken from the wells.

Theaccompanying drawing represents an' apparatus by means of which l' carry out my invention, it being a longitudinal' vertical section showing the-method ot" separation.

Similar lettersv of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is abox, made of wood or other suitable material;

B is a metallic plate, or cover, which is fitted steamtight into the box, forming a tight compartment beneat-h it, represented by C, into which steam is intro duced by means of the pipe D, from a steam boiler or the exhaust-pipe of a steam-engine.

The water of` condensation and the uncondensed steam escape through the pipe E.

The crude petroleum is introduced through the funnel F. It is allowed to spread in a thin sheet over the cover B, and escapes through the spout G into thetuhe H, which tube conveys it intp,barrcls or tanks.

lVhile' passing over the metallic plate, or'cover B, its temperature is raised by the steam contained in C to such a degree that the benzine and other volatile substances, ,which were combined with the petroleum,

escape in the form of vapor.

I represents a tube, or casing, which encloses the box A, as seen in the drawing, which contines the vapor, and conducts it oii' where it is .condensed and deposited inthe propel' receptacle.

When it is not desired to save the benzine or lighter substances, they may be allowed to escape'iuto the atmosphere, and the Vcasing I may in that case be dispensed with.

The temperature to whichthe crude petroleum is raised while passing over the plate -B is regulated by a cock in the steam-pipe D,

The quantity of the volatile liquids thusextracted will depend upon the temperature of the steam in the chamber C, and upon the .quantity of the petroleum which is allowed to pass over the plate B. l The quantity may be increased or diminished by va- Tying the supply to the funnel, and the-velocity'in passing over the plate may be varied Yby .inclining 'the box more or less.

By this arrangement the crude petroleum is separated t'romits more inflammable and dangerous properties, and while'it is thus rendered safe to handle, itv

is much'more readily confined in barrels or vessels, as its volatile properties have always been the cause of the serious losses heretofore occasioned in storing and transporting it.

' It is designed to subject tlie crude petroleum at the wells to this process, so that dealers and shippers may pursue their business Awith a` greater. degree oi' safety than they have done heretofore.

This improvement is also designed to enable't-he ren'er to reiine the same quantity in far less time, and toproduce a superior article.

It is also vintended to convert crude petroleum into a condition to be used at once as a lubricator, which is an important point, as the chief value of a lubricator 1. The method herein described for removing the benzine and other` volatile matters from crude petroleum, that is to say, by causing the crude oil to flow gradually in a thin stream over a heated plate, where-V by the volatile principles will' all be evaporated with' great certainty and rapidity.

2. The improved machine above described for carrying out my process, consisting of vessel A, provided with inlet for the crude oil, and steam-'chamber C, having steam-induction and eduction pipes, in combina@ v tion with intermediate plate B, which subjects the crude oil to a temperature to evaporate the volatilel parts, and conducts the refined oil into its proper re-'r H. J. BERG.

ceptacle, all as shown and described.

Witnesses:

WM. S. ZIEGLER, S. BBEDIN. 

